Folding chair



April 19, 1949. M. D. RECHLER FOLDING CHAIR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 27, 1947 INVENTOR. A/d/Fi'J/VA kid/91M ATTORNEY April 19, 1949. M. D. RECHLER FOLDING CHAIR Filed March 27, 1947 2 Sheets-sheaf. 2

M /7 k INVENTOR.

/Z L n/mrm p. r m 4&1

ATTORNEY unfold it for use.

Patented Apr. 19, 1949 FOLDING CHAIR Morton D. Rechler, New York, N. Y., assignor to Rexart Metal Industries, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of'New York Application March 27. 1947, Serial No. 737,564

14 Claims. (01. 1554163) This invention relates to folding chairs, one of the objects being to provide a chair of this character which may be collapsed by a simple one motion folding operation into extremely compact form whereby the chair occupies very small space for carrying or storing.

Another object is to provide an adjustable collapsible chair having improved means enabling the inclination of the back to be quickly and easily changed from a sitting position to a reclining position while occupying the chair.

Another object is to provide linkage between the forward ends of the arm rests andthe upper ends of the front leg frame permitting the back to be adjusted to the two positions, and providing positive stop means for determining the two positions of inclination of the back.

Another object is to provide a construction in which the upper end of the rear leg frame is pivoted to the rear of the seat frame and is moved about its pivot in an arcuate path by connectingmeans pivotally connected to the rear leg frame and to the upper end of the front leg frame, the action in folding the frames being to swing the rear leg frame toward the front of'the chair while the front leg frame moves in an arc toward the back of the chair, the parts being arranged to clear each other during the folding operation and finally reaching collapsed positions against the bottom of the seat frame. .A reversal of this operation unfolds the frames to sitting position.

A further object is to do away entirely with the need of sliding parts, and provide an organization of pivoted elements which -move about their pivots to collapse the chair for carrying or Still a further object is. to produce a light weight, strong and durable chair, comfortable in use, easy to manipulate, 'nd which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Various other objects and features of the invention will appear in the following description having reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a side elevation of a chair made according to the invention, and showing two inclinations of the back. 1

Fig. 2 is a similar elevation illustratingthe posi- V tions taken by the parts during a stage of the collapsing operation.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the chair collapsed.

2 for use in the reclining position as shown in full lines in Fig. 1'.

Figs. 6 and 7 are details in section of linkage between the arm rests and the front leg frame. Fig. 8 is a detail in section of a pivot plate associated with the rear leg frame; the seat frame and the back.

In the drawings the numeral l0 designates generally a chair embodying the invention and including in its construction a front leg frame II, a rear leg frame I2, a seat frame I3, a back frame ll, and arm rests I5, The frames are made preferably from light weight tubular metal such as aluminum or other appropriate materials which may be bent and shaped as required and are pivoted together as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 to be folded or unfolded. The front leg frame Il may comprise a pair of tubular members l6 tied together by a cross rod l1 and pivoted adjacent the forward end of the seat frame l3 by the pivot pins l8 whereby said front leg frame may be swung about its pivot toward or away from the rear leg frame I2. The rear leg frame I! may be U-shaped as shown and have side members l9 connected at their ends by pivot pins 20 to pivot plates 2| whichare preferably channel shaped. The side members 22 of the seat frame Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the chair col- ,7

lapsed as in Fig. 3. a I

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the chair ready iii are also connected to the pivot plates 2| by pivot pins 23 slightly above the pivot pins 20 of the rear leg frame i2. The back frame ll may also be a U-shaped frame having side members 24 which are connected by their ends by pivot pins 25' to the upper portions or extensions of the pivot plates 2! asshownin detail in Fig. 8. In the position of use as shown in Fig. 1 the pivot plates 2| are kept at a rearwardly extending and angular relation to the seat frame lit by means of cross pins 26 fixed to the sides 21 of the pivot plates and bearingagainst the tops of the members 22 beneath the pivot pins 25. The portions of the side members I9 of the rear leg frame I2 immediately be'neath'their pivot pins 20 rest against the lower extensions or webs 28 which constitute stops to determine the rearward angular disposition of the rear leg frame 12, the webs 28 being extended downward substantially below the pivots 20 to provide firm backing against the members IS.

The front leg frame His operably connected to the rear leg frame 12 by a radius rod 29 which extends rearwardly from a pivot pin 30 to a similar pivot pin 3| beneath the pivot plate 2|, there being preferably a radius rod of this character at each side of the chair.

The arm rests ii are provided with brackets 32 attached by suitable fasteners 33 beneath the forward portions of the arm rests and have depending side plates 34 for mounting the pins 35 which form pivotal connections with links 36 having the webs 31 (Figs. 6 and '7) and connected by pivot pins 38 to the upwardly extending ends 39 of the members l6 of the front leg frame The rear ends of the arm rests l5 are secured by suitable pins or screws 40 so as to have pivotal connections with the side members 24 of the back frame I4. A canvas member 4| having the back portion 42 and the seat portion 43 is secured by its upper end to the cross part 44 of the back frame l4 and to the cross part 45 of front end of the seat frame l3. A seat reenforcing piece 46 of canvas may be employed between the opposite side members 22, and a similar. piece 41 used at the back. Suitable spacing sleeves are used between the frames as at 43, 49, 50, 5|, and 52 to establish the sidewise distances between the frames and so that the parts will clear each other when interfolded to collapsed positions.

In the full line position of Fig. 1 the chair is shown with the back frame l4 in reclining position. The links 36 have beenswung around the pivots 38 bringing the webs 31 against the forward edges of the side plates 34. This forms a stop means for determining the rearward swing of the back frame l4 and its consequent inclination tothe seat frame. l3. Thus the links 38 are limited from pivoting rearwardly to or beyond a dead center position. When it is desired to assume the sitting position with the back frame and the arm rests in the dotted position the links are swung forwardly about their pivots from the Fig. 6 position to the Fig. 7 position where the webs 31 bear against the upper portions of the front leg frame II, and this forms an overlock for holding the back frame in the sitting position indicated.

With the canvas 4| cradled or suspended more or less tightly as shown in the reclining position of Fig. 1, the act of moving the body to a sitting position places more weight on the portion 43 of the canvas and causes the back frame to swing forward to the sitting position of the chair, making this change from one position to another an entirely automatic operation. When it is desired to close the chair for carrying or storage, the

frame extremities 44 and 45 are pulled toward each other as indicated by the arrows A and B in Fig. 2. This causes the radius rods 29 to swing the rear leg frame about the Pivot pins 2|! and upward toward the bottom of the seat frame |3,

while the front leg frame moves inward toward the back frame and the arm rests swing upward toward the sides of the back frame. The rames finally reach fiat compact condition shown in Fig. 3 where the several parts do not extend beyond the lengthwise dimension of the longest frame member. The chair is easily opened by a reversal of the closing operation, and it will be noted that when in use the chair occupies the same ground space regardless of the position of the back. It is further to be noted that all of the motions of the chair are effected about pivots which simplify the construction and make the opening and closing operations quick and easy. The pivots may consist of bolts, rivets, or other suitable fastening means, and the front leg frame may be formed from a single piece in the shape of a U. The member 4| may be of canvas, various cloth fabrics, plastics, or any other materials found suitable for the purpose. Vari- 4 1 ous other modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: l. A folding chair comprising, a seat frame, a front leg frame pivoted intermediate its ends to the forward side portions of the seat frame, pivot plates pivotally mounted on the rear end portions of said seat frame, a rear leg frame pivoted at its upper ends to said pivot. plates below said seat frame, a back frame pivoted at its lower ends to the upper ends of said pivot plates, cross pins fixed to said pivot plates'and resting upon the upper rear portions of the seat frame when the chair is open for use, radius rods pivoted to said rear leg frame below said pivot plates and extending forward to pivotal connections with said said front leg frame above said seat frame. a fabric seat member disposed between the'upper end of the back frame and the forward end of the seat frame, and linkage connecting the upper ends of the front leg frame to the forward portions of arm rests, the rear portions of said arm rests being pivoted to the sides of said back frame, said linkage permitting the arm rests to be moved forwardly or rearwardly of the chair to adjust the back frame to sitting or reclining positions.

2. A folding chair comprising, a seat frame, a front leg frame pivoted intermediate its ends to the forward side portions of the seat frame, pivot plates pivotally mounted on the rear end portions of said seat frame, a-rear leg frame pivoted at its upper ends to said pivot plates below said seat frame, a back frame pivoted at its lower ends to the upper ends of said pivot plates, cross pins fixed to said pivot plates and resting upon the upper rear portions of the seat frame when the Y chair is open for use, radius rods pivoted to said rear leg frame below said pivot plates and extending forward to pivotal connections with said front leg frame above said seat frame, a back and seat member suspended between the upper endof back frame and the forward end of the seat frame, arm rests pivotally connected at their rear portions to the sides of said back frame, the forward portions of said aim rests carrying brackets, and links connecting the upper ends of the front leg frame to said brackets and permitting the arm rests to be moved forwardly and rearwardly of the chair to adjust the back frame to sitting or reclining position, said links being provided with webs which engage said brackets or the upper ends of the front leg frame to determine the two positions of adjustment of the back frame.

3. A folding chair comprising, a seat frame, front leg frame pivoted intermediate its ends to the forward side portions of the seat frame, pivot plates pivotally mounted on the rear end portions of said seat frame, a rear leg frame pivoted at its upper ends to said pivot plates below said seat frame, a back frame pivoted at its lower ends to the upper ends of said pivot plates, cross pins fixed to said pivot plates and resting upon the upper rear portions of the seat frame when the chair is open for use, a radius rod pivoted to said rear leg frame below said pivot plates and extending forward to pivotal connection with said front leg frame above said seat frame, a. back and seat member suspended between the upper end of the back frame and the forward end of the seat frame, arm rests pivotally connected at their rear portions to the sides of said back, frame, the forward portions of said arm rests carrying brackets, links connecting the upper ends of the front leg frame to said brackets and permitting the arm rests tobe moved forwardly nected to the lower extensions of said pivot plates, a front leg frame pivotally connected to the forward portion of said seat frame, and a radius rod pivotally secured at one end to the rear leg frame and having pivotal means of connection to the front leg frame above said seat frame, said pivot plates being provided with portions extending downward substantially below the pivots of the rear leg frame and, adapted to engage said rear leg frame to hold it in position when the chair is open ready for use.

5. A folding chair including a seat frame, pivot plates connected to the rear of the seat frame and provided with extensions above and below the plane of the seat frame, a back frame pivotally connected to the upper extensions of said pivot plates, a rear leg frame pivotally connected to the lower extensions of said pivot plates, a front leg frame pivotally connected to the forward portion of said seat frame, and a radius rodpivotally secured at one end to the rear leg frame and having pivotal means of connection to the front leg frame above said seat frame, the lower extensions of said pivot plates being shaped to provide channels into which the upper portions of said leg frame are i received when the chair is open ready for use.

6. A folding chair including a seat frame, pivot plates connected to the rear of the seat frame and provided with extensions above and below the plane of the seat frame, a back frame pivotally connected to the upper extensions of said pivot plates, a rear leg frame pivotally connected to the lower extensions of said pivot rest, means for limitingsaid link from pivoting rearwardly to or beyond a dead center position, and a flexible seat and'back membersuspended between the upper end of the back frame and the forward end of the seat frame. I

9. A folding chair frame including in combination, a seat frame, a front leg frame pivoted between its upper and lower ends to the forward portions of the seat frame, pivot plates pivotally mountedon the rear portions of the seat frame and provided with upper and lower extensions, arear leg-frame pivoted at its upper ends to said lower extensions, cross pins fixed to the pivot plates and adapted to rest upon adjacent portions of-the seat frame when the chair frame is open for use, means for limiting the rear leg frame from-pivoting rearwardly beyond a predetermined position, a back frame pivoted at its lower ends to said upper extensions of the pivot plates, arm rests provided with means of connection to the back frame and the upper ends of the front leg frame, and a connecting rod pivoted to the rear leg frame and extending for-- ward to pivotal connection with the front leg frame above the seat frame.

10. A folding chair frame including in, combi-" nation, a seat frame, a front leg frame pivoted between its upper and lower ends to the forward portions of the seat frame, pivot plates pivotally mounted on the rear portions of the seat frame and provided with upper and lower extensions, a rear leg frame pivoted at its upper ends to said lower extensions, means for holding the pivot plates at a predetermined angularity withrespect to the seat frame when the chair frame is open for use, means for limiting the rear leg frame from pivoting rearwardly beyond a predetermined position with respect to the pivot plates, a back frame pivoted at its lower ends to said 40 upper extensions of the pivot plates, arm rests plates, a front leg frame pivotally connected to the forward portion of said seat frame, a radius rod pivotally secured at one end to the rear leg frame and having pivotal means of connection to the front leg frame above said seat frame, and means carried by said pivot plates providing back stops to be engaged by the upper portions of said rear leg frame when the chair is open ready for use.

7. A folding chair including a seat frame, a back frame swingably connected to the seat frame, a front leg frame, an arm rest pivotally connected at its rear portion to the back frame, a link pivotally connected at one end to the upper portion of the front leg frame, the other end of said link being pivotally connected to a bracket secured to the forward portion of said arm rest, and a web carried by said link adapted to engage said bracket to limit said link from pivoting rearwardly to or beyond a dead center position.

8. A folding chair including a seat frame, a back frame swingably connected to the seat frame, a, front leg frame, an arm rest pivotally connected at its rear portion to the back frame, a link pivotally connected at one end to the upper end of the front leg frame, the other end of said link being provided with pivotal means provided with means of connection to the back frame and'to the upper ends of the front leg frame, and a connecting rod pivoted to the rear leg frame and extending'forward to pivotal connection with the front leg frame above the seat frame.

11. A folding chair frame including in combination, a seat frame, a front leg frame pivoted between its upper and lower ends to the forward portions of the seat frame, pivot plates pivotally mounted on the rearportions of the seat frame and provided with upper and lower extensions, a rear leg frame pivoted at its upper ends to said lower extensions, cross pins fixed to the pivot plates and adapted to rest upon adjacent portions of the seat frame when the chair frame is open for use, means for limiting the rear leg frame from pivoting rearwardly beyond a predetermined position, a back frame pivoted at its lower ends to said upper extensions of the pivot plates, arm rests provided with means of connection to the back frame and the upper ends of the front leg frame, and connecting means pivoted to the rear leg frame and extending forward to pivotal connection with the front leg frame above the seat frame.

12. A folding chair frame including in combination, a seat frame, a front leg frame pivoted between its upper and lower ends to the forward portions of the seat frame, pivot plates pivotally mounted on the rear portions of the seat frame and provided with upper and lower extensions, a rear leg frame pivoted at its upper ends to said lower extensions, means for holding the pivot plates at a predetermined angularity with respect to the seat frame when the chair frame is open for use, means for limiting the" rear leg frame from pivoting rearwardly beyond a predetermined position with respect to the pivot plates, a back frame pivoted at its lower ends to said upper extensions of the pivot plates, arm rests provided with means of connection to the back frame and to the upper ends of the front leg frame, and connecting means pivoted to the rear leg frame and extending forward to pivotal 10 connection with the front leg frame above the seat frame.

13. A folding chair frame including in combination, a seat frame, a front leg frame pivoted between its upper and lower ends to the forward portions of the seat frame, a rear leg frame, pivotal means of connection between the rear leg frame and the seat frame, and connecting means pivoted to said rear leg frame and extending forward to pivotal connection with said front 1,188,499

leg frame above its pivot to the seat frame, said connecting means. being adapted to swing the rear leg frame forward and the front leg frame rearward to collapsed positions nested close to the seat frame, and also to unfold the frames by a reversal of this operation.

MORTON -D. RECHLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Simmons June 27, 1916 2,042,252 Freedman May 26, 1938 2,333,761 Beeskow Nov. 9, 1943- FOREIGN PA'I'ENTS 25 Number Country Date 411,397 Great Britain June 7, 1934 773,127 France Aug. 27, 1934 14. A folding chair frame including in combi- 

